Presentation by Susan Cole Kicks Off Linney Celebration

Published Friday, August 17, 2012 at 2:02 pm

Aug. 17, 2012. A community conversation about noted playwright Romulus Linney will be led by Dr. Susan Cole, former chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University, at the Watauga County Public Library on Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Cole, who was a close friend of Linney, will talk about his Appalachian plays and tell stories about him and his friends. Audience members will also be encouraged to share their memories of Linney, who spent part of his childhood in Watauga County.

The event is a prelude to a two-day celebration of Linney’s life and work to be held at Appalachian Sept. 20-21. The celebration will include master acting classes, workshops, craft lectures, and the dedication and opening of the Romulus Linney Papers and exhibit. A tribute featuring readings from his works will be held at Valborg Theatre, and a reception at the Turchin Center will conclude the celebration.

Linney was a student of Cratis Williams, the father of Appalachian studies and a university faculty member. In 1995, the university awarded Linney an honorary doctorate, and he was the 2005 Belk Distinguished Professor. The author of more than 35 published plays, Linney died in January 2011.

The University Library and the Department of Theatre and Dance are sponsoring the Linney events.

For more details, visit library.appstate.edu/collections/sc/linney.html.